Bikes have road rights

To the man that told me to “get the f*** on the sidewalk” while I was riding my bicycle on the shoulder of Maple Street in Potsdam last week: I have as much of a right to use that road as you do.

According to Section 316 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law Pertaining to Bicycles and Pedestrians, bicyclists are entitled to “free use of highway” and the authorities have “no power to...maintain any ordinance...by which any person using a bicycle or tricycle shall be excluded or prohibited from the free use of any highway.”

Most bicyclists ride safely and obey traffic laws, and I was doing just that when you yelled.

I apologize on behalf of those who do not, and encourage them to learn turning and hand-sign laws.

Also, I save money on gas and pollute less than you do with your giant SUV.